Stoner accuses some MotoGP fans of “lack of respect”

Casey Stoner has accused some MotoGP fans of a „lack of respect” following his move to V8 Supercars.

The Australian, who suffered a broken ankle last year, said his decision has nothing to do with injuries.

“We got spat at (by fans), they tried to knock us off scooters going from the motor homes to the pits. We had a lack of respect from a lot of people around the sport and I didn’t like the direction it was taking. Unfortunately they didn’t like my honesty in the paddock. That was part of it, but more it was the direction of the sport,” Stoner told the Telegraph.

A MotoGP champion in 2007 and 2011, the Australian was frustrated by technical changes to MotoGP that have increased engine sizes to 1000cc from 800cc and contributed to manufacturers such as Kawasaki and Suzuki leaving the sport. Stoner also criticised the way MotoGP handled the death of rider Marco Simoncelli at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang in 2011.

“We lost a rider a couple of years ago, and within a month it was like it never happened. They want to see biff and barge and they don’t realise our lives are on the line. We became puppets in that world and it had nothing to do with racing,” Stoner said.